3 minute read
Handy mare Sassy Bay can bounce back to form in today's Telstra Business Centre Handicap (race 7) at Wodonga.
The mare, who is proven in town, bombed her chances last start with a poor beginning but is worth another try in today's BM72 over 1400m.
Prepared by Chris Clavarino, Sassy Bay had a good campaign last time in winning a couple of races, including one at Sandown, and running some good races in higher grade before being stepped out in journey.
After placing over a mile at Moonee Valley four starts back she was stretched out to 2000m at Flemington but after getting back to worse than midfield seemingly didn't run out the trip and was well held.
After a spell, she resumed over 1200m at Echuca in this class and was back to her best, drifting back from a wide gate before charging home to score a narrow win.
Sassy Bay headed to the all weather course at Geelong last time, again in this class, but was slowly away and always well back.
Despite a strong pace she was ridden up to stay in touch and kept coming but was too far back when seventh, beaten 5.3 lengths, behind Captura.
Today she meets the same grade and carries the same weight.
She has drawn well, and winning rider Nick Souquet is back aboard.
The extra trip is ideal now and the mare looks very hard to beat.
Veteran galloper Homelander is going well and after a freshen up looks hard to hold out.
The Sean Jackson trained eight-year-old placed at two of his first three runs this campaign before breaking through in this class over 1400m at Echuca.
He then stepped up to a mile at Kilmore and carrying a big weight he loomed up before fading over the final furlong to finish fifth.
He has never won beyond 1400m so maybe just doesn't quite get to the mile.
The gelding has been freshened and comes back to 1400m today where he has three wins and two placings from seven runs.
He has two wins at the track as well and despite an awkward gate should be running on hard here.
Escargot has never won here but always runs a good race and looks a strong each way hope.
The gelding resumed in slightly easier grade last time over 1300m and after looming up seemingly peaked on his run before finishing seventh.
Today he strips fitter and does have a good second up record.
He drops in weight, is suited at the longer trip and with less weight and a good draw looks a leading player.
He has started four times at the course for three seconds and looks a good each way chance again.
Hillbilly Dancer is close to another win and fitter for a short let up he is suited back up to 1400m.
He is a winner here and will take running down.